Immigration

This legislative resolution directs the Judiciary Committee to conduct an interim study on policies that could protect certain community spaces from immigration enforcement. The study focuses on areas like schools, hospitals, and homeless shelters, examining how other states have implemented similar protections and what guidance their attorneys general have issued. It specifically looks at whether these sensitive locations should remain safe from immigration harassment, with exceptions for executing judicial warrants. The committee will review state and local government actions across the country before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

LB 754 amends Nebraska law to update requirements for permits related to explosives and display fireworks. It adds new restrictions for explosives permits, prohibiting applicants with certain domestic violence misdemeanor convictions, active felony charges, or who are illegal immigrants. The bill also requires fingerprinting and background checks for individuals seeking to use explosives, and updates the application process for display fireworks permits handled by the State Fire Marshal. These changes directly affect businesses and individuals applying for explosives storage, use, or purchase permits, as well as those seeking professional fireworks display permits.

LB 1212 creates two new license types for internationally trained physicians in Nebraska who completed medical education outside the U.S. It allows a "limited license" (valid up to 6 years total) requiring supervision by a participating health care entity (like a hospital or health center) and completion of a state-approved assessment program. A "restricted license" would permit independent practice in designated health profession shortage areas after meeting the same requirements. The bill requires physicians to hold ECFMG certification, pass USMLE steps 1 and 2, maintain valid U.S. work authorization, and be employed by a participating entity during the limited license period. This directly affects internationally trained physicians seeking to practice medicine in Nebraska, particularly in underserved rural or urban areas.

LB 886 amends Nebraska's driver's license laws to prohibit the issuance of licenses or permits to noncitizens without lawful U.S. immigration status. It also removes a previous exemption that allowed such individuals to operate vehicles without a license for up to 30 days. Consequently, people in Nebraska without legal immigration status must now comply with standard licensing requirements to drive, but they are barred from obtaining a license under the new rules. The bill repeals the original sections 60-474 and 60-488 of Nebraska's Revised Statutes.

Nebraska's LB 881 requires law enforcement agencies, county/city jails, and the Nebraska State Patrol to obtain prior approval from their local governing body before entering agreements to enforce immigration law. This applies to any agreement involving immigration enforcement actions like detention or arrest, excluding human trafficking-related agreements. The bill mandates a 30-day written notice to the local governing body, a public hearing, and approval before any new agreement takes effect starting July 1, 2026. Existing agreements must terminate by December 1, 2026, unless approved by the local body by October 15, 2026. Agencies must also report all approved agreements to the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement within 60 days.

LB 1150 prohibits Nebraska businesses with contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from receiving state economic incentives under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act. The bill requires applicants to disclose any ICE contracts in their application, and automatically blocks approval if such contracts exist. This directly affects companies seeking tax incentives for new investments or job creation in Nebraska, as they must now confirm they have no ICE business relationships. The policy change applies to all future applications filed before December 31, 2030, with existing agreements unaffected. The bill amends application requirements to include this ICE contract disclosure and disqualification provision.

Nebraska's LB 1034 prohibits school staff, contractors, and agents from allowing federal immigration enforcement officers access to school grounds or students for immigration enforcement purposes without a valid judicial warrant. The bill defines a "valid judicial warrant" as one issued by a judge or magistrate specifically authorizing the requested access, excluding immigration detainers or administrative documents. It explicitly allows schools to comply with valid judicial warrants, court orders, or respond to immediate threats to health or safety. This law directly affects all public K-12 schools in Nebraska and their employees by requiring federal immigration officers to obtain a court-issued warrant before entering school facilities for enforcement actions.

Nebraska's LB 907 prohibits law enforcement officers from entering nonpublic areas of designated community safe spaces (like hospitals, schools, libraries, shelters, and religious facilities) to enforce immigration law without a judicial warrant. The bill requires officers to obtain a search warrant issued by a judge or an arrest warrant if they know the person subject to the warrant is present. Evidence collected in violation of this law would be inadmissible in Nebraska courts. The measure takes immediate effect as an emergency.

Nebraska's LB 1149 requires state agencies to disclose if private contractors they plan to work with have existing contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This applies to any proposed state agency contract with a private entity that has such ICE agreements. Agencies must submit this disclosure as part of their standard contract review process to the Director of Administrative Services. The bill does not restrict contracting with ICE-linked entities but mandates transparency about these connections before contracts are finalized.

LB 879, the "Guest Worker Permit Act," requires undocumented individuals working in Nebraska to obtain a state-issued permit before starting work under a contract or within 30 days of signing one. It directly affects undocumented workers who live or work in Nebraska but are not compliant with federal immigration law. Key provisions include creating a permit system administered by the Department of Labor, requiring employers to provide contact information for workers, and barring individuals with certain serious criminal convictions (like violent felonies or sex offenses) from obtaining permits. The law would take effect by July 1, 2028, pending federal approval of necessary waivers.